Morsi Ousted in Egypt Military Coup

Morsi Ousted in Egypt Military Coup

CAIRO, EGYPT - JULY 03: Egyptian opposition protesters take part in a demonstration as the deadline given by the military to Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi approaches, at Egypt's Presidential Palace on July 3, 2013 in Cairo, Egypt. Morsi has now been ousted by the army as head of state.

Mark Joseph Stern is a writer for Slate. He covers science, the law, and LGBTQ issues.

Morsy's ouster is a "conspiracy against legitimacy" and "a military coup that wastes the will of the people and returns Egypt to tyranny," the Muslim Brotherhood said in a post on its official website.

The Muslim Brotherhood, which is the Islamist movement that propelled Morsy to the presidency, also said that "millions condemn the coup and support the elected president's legitimacy."

It also suggested that elements of the regime of former President Hosni Mubarak, who was ousted in 2011 following massive demonstrations, are behind what happened to Morsy.

"The former regime is returning at the cost of the blood of ... martyrs," the brotherhood's post said.

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The army has already begun to crack down on the Brotherhood, cutting off their television stations.

For the moment, protestors in Cairo's Tahrir Square continue to celebrate their victory over Morsi and the Brotherhood, cheering in the streets and shooting off fireworks. Morsi's whereabouts remain unknown.

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Update:The Egyptian Presidency, the verified twitter account of Morsi and his office, has encouraged "all free men" to "reject" the army's coup. Morsi, through the account, also "urges everyone to adhere to peacefulness and avoid shedding blood of fellow countrymen."

Pres. Morsy: Measures announced by Armed Forces leadership represent a full coup categorically rejected by all the free men of our nation

Meanwhile, army has released its "roadmap" for future action. Al Jazeera has the details:

-"Suspending the constitution provisionally;

-The Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court will declare early presidential elections;

-Interim period until president elected. Chief Justice will have presidential powers;

-A technocrat, capable national government will be formed;

-The committee will offer all its expertise to review the new constitution;

-The Supreme Constitutional Law will address the draft law and prepare for parliamentary elections;

-Securing and guaranteeing freedom of expression, freedom of media;

-All necessary measures will be taken to empower youth so they can take part in decision-making processes;

-The EAF appeal to the Egyptian people with all its spectrum to steer away from violence and remain peaceful. The Armed Forces warn it will stand up firmly and strictly to any act deviating from peacefulness based on its patriotic and historic responsibility."

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Original post at 3:17 p.m.: President Morsi has been removed from power by a military coup in Egypt, myriad sources have now confirmed. An army commander has declared that the country's constitution has also been suspended. The Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court will become the interim head of state. The New York Times reports:

Egypt’s military moved forcefully to seize power from President Mohamed Morsi on Wednesday, deploying tanks and troops in Cairo and other cities, restricting his travel and convening an emergency meeting of top civilian and religious leaders to devise an interim government and lay the groundwork for new elections.

Ahramonline, the government’s official English-language Web site, said the military had informed Mr. Morsi that he was no longer head of state. There was no word on Mr. Morsi’s whereabouts.

The military’s actions came as enormous crowds of the president’s supporters and opponents filled the streets of the capital and soldiers were deployed in significant numbers to keep the spiraling political crisis from going out of complete control.

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